No Preying When You're Sprayed

Oct 15, 2012

No Preying When You're Sprayed

Oct 15, 2012

One thing's for certain--a praying mantis does not like to get wet.

If it were human, it would not dip a toe in the water and yell to its friends: "C'mon in, the water's fine!"

Water is not fine--not to a praying mantis.

While watering the tomato plants recently, we discovered a praying mantis beneath the leaves. Looking quite defensive, it emerged from its hiding place, not to prey but to check out the spray.

Then it quietly slipped back beneath the leaves, its long khaki-colored body looking quite conspicuous against a solid green background. 

P. Mantis took a few minutes to remove the water droplets and then clumsily flew away.

Enough of that water bath!